Marijuana sales in British Columbia could vary between cities: minister

published on September 25, 2017 by Globe and Mail in NEWSCAF

The B.C. government has launched a five-week consultation process around the legalization of marijuana and says the way the drug is purchased could differ from city to city.
The minister in charge of the file told a news conference Monday that Vancouverites might prefer to continue buying marijuana through dispensaries, while other communities opt for something else.
“One size does not fit all,” B.C. Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth told reporters.
The federal government has committed to legalizing the recreational use of marijuana by July. Ontario unveiled its retail and distribution model earlier this month.

Mr. Farnworth acknowledged his province is playing catch-up, given the recent election and delay in forming government. He said B.C. and other provinces have asked Ottawa for more time, although it appears unlikely they will receive it.
But the minister said B.C. s consultation process – which runs until Nov. 1 – is necessary, given the wide array of views.
“I think it s been made pretty clear that people want to have a say, and local government wants to have a say, and the industry would like to have a say,” he said.

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M-J Milloy, a research scientist with the BC Centre on Substance Use, said in an interview he d like to see a system that offers a regulated product at a fair price that involves both local and national producers and improves the health and well-being of British Columbians.
He did question whether there would be enough of a marijuana supply when it is legalized. Mr. Larsen predicted a shortage within a matter of days.